Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Linda Perry

Discover the career path of Linda Perry, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Linda Perry is a highly successful American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She gained initial fame as the lead singer and songwriter for 4 Non Blondes, most notably for their hit song "What's Up?". Perry transitioned into a prolific songwriter and producer for other artists, crafting hit songs like "Beautiful" for Christina Aguilera and "Get the Party Started" for Pink. She has also worked with prominent artists like Adele and Alicia Keys and founded two record labels, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit within the music industry. Her significant contributions to music were recognized with her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1989: Composed First Professional Song

In 1989, Linda Perry composed her first professional song, "Down On Your Face," and was recruited into the band 4 Non Blondes.

July 1991: Signed to Interscope Records

In July 1991, the band 4 Non Blondes, featuring Linda Perry, was signed to Interscope Records.

1992: Recording of Bigger, Better, Faster, More!

In 1992, 4 Non Blondes, including Linda Perry, recorded their only album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, which included the song "What's Up?" written by Perry.

March 1993: "What's Up" Release

In March 1993, "What's Up" was released as the second single from the album Bigger, Better, Faster, More! and became a hit.

1993: 4 Non Blondes' hit "What's Up?"

In 1993, Linda Perry was the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, including their hit "What's Up?".

1994: Album sales

Between 1992 and 1994 Bigger, Better, Faster, More! album sold 1.5 million copies

1994: Display of the word "dyke" on guitar

In 1994, Linda Perry displayed the slang word "dyke" on her guitar for a performance with 4 Non Blondes at the Billboard Music Awards.

1994: 4 Non Blondes Disband

In late 1994, during the recording of their second album, 4 Non Blondes disbanded due to dissatisfaction and creative differences, including issues related to Linda Perry's sexuality.

1995: Perry openly declares that she loves women

In 1995, Linda Perry told a journalist from The Advocate, "All my life I've loved women, and that's it. I've never been any other way."

1996: Release of In Flight

In 1996, Linda Perry released her solo debut album, In Flight, which received positive reviews but did not sell well.

1997: Hosting Bay Area Music Awards

In 1997, Linda Perry hosted the Bay Area Music Awards, also known as "Bammies".

1998: Hosted Bay Area Music Awards again

In 1998, Linda Perry hosted the Bay Area Music Awards, also known as "Bammies".

1999: Release of After Hours

In 1999, Linda Perry released her second solo album, After Hours, on Rockstar Records, and she performed as an opening act for Bryan Adams.

2000: Collaboration with Pink

In 2000, Linda Perry was contacted by Pink for songwriting and production assistance on her second album, Missundaztood. Perry co-wrote and produced much of the album, including "Get the Party Started", which became a major hit.

2003: Awards and Grammy Nomination

In 2003, Linda Perry won two American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awards for her songwriting, and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song "Beautiful" at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.

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2005: Re-release of In Flight and Collaboration with Christina Aguilera

In 2005, Linda Perry re-released her solo album In Flight. The same year, she began working with Christina Aguilera on her third studio album, Back to Basics.

2006: Collaboration with Christina Aguilera on Back to Basics

In 2006, Linda Perry co-wrote every song on the second disc of Christina Aguilera's album, Back to Basics.

2007: Contribution to Vanessa Carlton's Heroes and Thieves

In early 2007, Linda Perry contributed production and songwriting to Vanessa Carlton's third studio album, Heroes and Thieves.

2008: Signed Little Fish to Label

In 2008, Linda Perry signed the group Little Fish to her label and began producing its album, Baffled and Beat.

2009: Production for Adam Lambert

In 2009, Linda Perry wrote and produced "A Loaded Smile" for Adam Lambert's debut studio album For Your Entertainment.

June 2010: Formation of Deep Dark Robot

In June 2010, Linda Perry announced the formation of her new band Deep Dark Robot with Tony Tornay, planning to make an album.

August 2010: Release of Baffled and Beat

In August 2010, Baffled and Beat album, produced by Linda Perry, was released.

November 5, 2010: Performance with Roger Rocha

On November 5, 2010, Linda Perry appeared live in San Francisco with 4 Non Blondes guitar player Roger Rocha at TwentyFifty, celebrating the release of Rocha's album. Perry performed covers and joined Rocha for Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You".

2010: Production for Christina Aguilera's Bionic

In 2010, Christina Aguilera's sixth studio album, Bionic, included "Lift Me Up", which was written and produced solely by Linda Perry.

March 2011: Deep Dark Robot Album Release and Touring

In March 2011, Linda Perry's band Deep Dark Robot released the album 8 Songs About a Girl and began touring.

July 2011: Acoustic Cover Song Releases

In July 2011, Linda Perry began publishing acoustic cover songs recorded with her iPhone on her Facebook account, including "Mad World" by Tears for Fears and "Creep" by Radiohead.

2014: Appearance on Make or Break: The Linda Perry Project

In 2014, Linda Perry appeared in the VH1 reality television show Make or Break: The Linda Perry Project, where she worked with up-and-coming musicians.

January 12, 2015: Scheduled Appearance on The Talk

In January 12, 2015, Linda Perry was scheduled to appear as the house band in a special series of late night editions of The Talk.

June 2015: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In June 2015, Linda Perry was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York.

2015: Collaboration with Adele and Miley Cyrus

In 2015, Linda Perry co-wrote "Can't Let Go" with Adele for her album 25 and wrote "Hands of Love," performed by Miley Cyrus, for the film Freeheld.

2015: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2015, Linda Perry was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2017: Launch of We Are Hear

In 2017, Linda Perry partnered with Kerry Brown to launch We Are Hear, a record label, music publisher, and artist management company.

2018: One Love Malibu festival

In 2018, Linda Perry co-curated events with We Are Hear such as One Love Malibu festival, which raised $1 million in relief funds for damage caused by the Woolsey Fire.

2018: Collaboration with Dolly Parton

In 2018, Linda Perry collaborated with Dolly Parton, writing "Girl In The Movies" for the Netflix film Dumplin', which was nominated for a Golden Globe.

2020: The Art of Elysium fundraiser

In 2020, Linda Perry co-curated events with We Are Hear such as The Art of Elysium fundraiser Heaven Is Rock & Roll, featuring the surviving members of Nirvana and other performances.

2020: Co-writing "A Beautiful Noise"

In 2020, Linda Perry co-wrote "A Beautiful Noise" with seven other female writers, performed by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile, to inspire American voters in the 2020 Presidential Election.